Clan Rose Society of America

Field Marshal Hugh Henry Rose

1st Baron Strathnairn, GCB. GCSI
April 6, 1801 – October 16, 1885

Field Marshal Hugh Henry Rose, 1st Baron Strathnairn, GCB. GCSI , (April 6, 1801 – October 16, 1885) was a British Army field-marshal. During the war with Russia in 1854–56 Rose was the British commissioner at the headquarters of the French army, with the local rank of brigadier-general. At Varna he succeeded in quenching a fire which threatened the French small-arm ammunition stores, and received the thanks of Marshal St Arnaud, who recommended him for the Legion of Honour. He was present at the battle of the Alma, and was wounded on the following day. At Inkerman he reconnoitred the ground between the British and French armies under withering fire from the Russian pickets and his horse was shot under him. He distinguished himself on several other occasions in maintaining verbal communication between the allied forces and by his tact and judgment contributed to the good feeling that existed between the two armies. His services were acknowledged by the commanders-in-chief of both armies and he received the medal with three clasps and the thanks of Parliament, was promoted to major-general, and was made KCB and commander of the Legion of Honour. On the outbreak of the Indian Mutiny in 1857 Rose was given command of the Poona division. He arrived in September, and shortly after took command of the forces in Central India. In January 1858 he marched from Mhow, captured Rathgarh after a short siege and defeated the raja of Banpur near Barodia in the same month. He then relieved Saugor, captured Garhakota and the fort of Barodia, and early in March defeated the rebels in the Madanpur Pass and captured Madanpur and Chanderi. He arrived at Jhansi on March 10th and during the siege defeated a relieving force under Tantia Topi at the Betwa on April 1st. Most of Rose's force was locked up in the siege and so he could only field 1,540 men against Tantia Topi's army of 20,000. Despite the numerical disadvantage he was able to rout the enemy, inflicting a total loss of 1,500 men.